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Abilene, Texas- More Than What Meets the Eye

A travel journal to Abilene by lubmac

Abilene ZooMore Photos

Abilene is a small town in Central Texas, but as the saying goes - dynamite comes in small packages and has a big wallop. This town that sprung with the coming of the railroad has much to offer.

  • 6 reviews
  • 4 photos

Abilene, Texas- More Than What Meets the EyeBest of IgoUgo

Overview

I went to Abilene with one thing on my mind - take the family to the small zoo to see the animals. What I found was a nice surprise, a town that was more than a wide spot along I-20. Abilene is the home of 3 universities, 2 colleges, the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, and an Air Force base. It has a history that dates back to old cavalry posts, the Overland Mail Route, Comanche Indians, and the introduction of the railroad to this area of the West. Nowadays, on the 4th weekend of September, Abilene hosts the Southwest Regional Fly-In of the Experimental Aircraft Association. If your a flying buff, this is a must see event - a celebration of aviation that supasses the normal.

Quick Tips:

Abilene is small enough that you can get around easily from about anywhere in town. I would recommend staying in the southern part simply because it's off the interstate and closer to some of the more usual creature comforts.

Best Way To Get Around:

Ramada InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Ramada Inn - Abilene"

The Ramada Inn was just what you would expect from a respectable hotel chain. The rooms were clean and well appointed, with the added bonus of a small refrigerator and microwave. The appliances were handy for keeping cold drinks handy and popping popcorn while watching movies on cable. The hotel has a nice pool that we enjoyed with the kids, and also offers breakfast with your room.

It is conveniently located near several restaurants and clubs, the mall, and the movie theaters. The staff was very helpful with suggestions and recommendations for local services and attractions as well as the directions to the nearest Wal-Mart.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by lubmac on December 8, 2000

Ramada Inn
3450 South Clack Abilene, Texas 79606
(915) 695-7700

Zentner's Daughter Steak HouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Are you craving a tender, full-flavored steak? One that is larger than a postage stamp, thick enough to sink your teeth into, but not so big that you feel that you have to drag it into the bushes to gnaw on it? Zentner's Daughter is the place to go. This restaurant knows the meaning of ample portions. We got the 'steak for two' (which was more than enough for three), with steamed fresh veggies and steak fries. Wow! What a pile of grub! Served with every meal are homemade fresh, hot rolls with garlic butter that are melt in your mouth good. By mistake (only in the sense that it was tooooo much to eat) we had ordered the onion loaf as an appetizer. It's a stack of beer batter onion rings fried to perfection and served in a loaf shape. They were wonderful too. We didn't get dessert because we wanted to be able to walk back to our car without assistance, but I'm sure if you actually had room for it, that it would be good too.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by lubmac on December 5, 2000

Zentner's Daughter Steak House
4358 Sayles Blvd. Abilene, Texas
(915) 695-4290

Cahoots Catfish and Oyster BarBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Catfish, catfish and more catfish is what was served the night I ate at Cahoots. The restaurant was packed with customers (me included), all clamoring for more of the delicious fried catfish that was the featured all-u-can-eat dish. The fish came in thick, tender fillets, deep fried in a sweet cornmeal batter. Creamy cole slaw, hush puppies, and crispy french fries rounded out the heaping plates that arrived at our table. The menu was filled with down home favorites, including homemade cobblers and pies for dessert. The quaint restaurant is obviously a local favorite, and now is on my list whenever I'm in Abilene. Cahoots is a winner.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by lubmac on December 6, 2000

Cahoots Catfish and Oyster Bar
301 S 11th Street Abilene, Texas 79602
(325) 672-6540

McDonald HamburgersBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "McDonalds"

C'mon!?! McDonalds???? I know, I know, but hey - we ate here and it was actualy one of the nicest McDonalds I've visited. Clean dining area and restrooms, hot and FRESH food, and to top it off- it has an indoor playground for the kids. The playground was the cleanest, most well maintained play place I've seen. They even keep an attendant on duty in the play place to make sure the rules are followed and that ALL the kids have socks on their feet. They even carry extra socks that you can buy if your kids aren't wearing any. Think about it - you know the menu will please the kids.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by lubmac on December 8, 2000

McDonald Hamburgers
4302 Buffalo Gap Road Abilene, Texas 79606
(325) 695-2616

Abilene ZooBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Abilene Zoo
The Abilene Zoo is just the right size for a family with smaller children. It has 1 (or a pair) of the major zoo animals, is small enough that the kids won't wear out, and is laid out so that there is shade and benches for the parents. It was a wonder to see the reaction as the children got their first glimpse of zebras, elephants and lions. The zoo has a number of local reptiles and priarie animals too. The crowning touch to the place is the giraffe pen. Over the pen is a bridge that you can go on and the giraffes walk right up to you. (There is a separation fence). From there, you can pet the giraffes as well as feed them - what else - animal crackers. The crackers are only 50 cents a bag and you can eat them too. The kids got a kick out of seeing the giraffe extend his long black tongue out for the cookies. You can see the whole kit and caboodle in 4 hours and make it back to the motel for naps or swimming.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by lubmac on December 6, 2000

Abilene Zoo
2070 Zoo LN Abilene, Texas 79602
(325) 673-9453

About the Writer

lubmac
lubmac
Lubbock, Texas

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